Giving Tuesday

By: Lili Paradi, Communications Manager at Peterborough GreenUP

As Greek storyteller, Aesop, says: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

Giving Tuesday this year is November 29^th – a global day to support projects that matter. In Peterborough, charities like GreenUP are sending out calls to action leading up to this day, to help fund initiatives that create healthier communities.

Since 2013, Giving Tuesday has encouraged giving on a week traditionally dedicated to shopping for oneself. It has grown from being a strictly North American project, to having over 80 countries actively participating in donation campaigns.

This year, it is predicted that world-wide over $3.2 billion will be donated on Giving Tuesday to support thousands of community projects and charities. No wonder it has been called the “World’s Largest Generosity Movement”.

GreenUP is a local charity. Our work is focused on the importance of collaborative effort to reach our climate goals. We believe that by working together, at both a grassroots level and as a global community, we can limit the warming of the climate to 1.5 degrees and reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2030. Our success will be achieved by the combined effort of young people and community groups, alongside governments, residents, businesses.

The saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child. As GreenUP celebrates our 30^th Anniversary, we know that if it were not for the generous support of donors and champions like you, 30 years of climate action would not have been possible. We know that with generous collaborative effort, we can see progress securing a healthier future for us, for our children, and their children after that.

Donating towards a secure future shouldn’t be onerous – and like Aesop mentions, a little goes a long way this Giving Tuesday. On November 29^th, consider donating to a charity like GreenUP to support 30 more years of local climate action. This year, GreenUP aims to raise over $30,000 in donations to allow us to continue inspiring and empowering environmentally healthy and sustainable action in our community. With donations before, after, and on Giving Tuesday, GreenUP will build back community spaces and programs that have seen challenges over the last three years.

Last May 21^st marked the spring opening event at Ecology Park and also the derecho storm which struck with such force that it downed and damaged over 50 trees in our key programming areas. We have begun replanting after this event, but there is much work yet to do. Natural disasters like these remind us that community spaces are fragile, and require careful tending to ensure future generations can use them to play and learn.

Sadly, a string of break-ins has also taken its toll, causing loss of equipment and costly repairs needed on five small buildings within the park and native plant nursery. Ecology Park hosts camps like Earth Adventures and Girl’s Climate Leadership, as well as many schools outdoor education programs—our young people who need safe and secure play and learning areas.

As well, the ongoing pandemic continues to disrupt programs for both our participants and staff. Not-for-profits like GreenUP need community support and investment to be able to return to regular, safe programming.

We hope that you can see the benefit of participating in Giving Tuesday. With donations and support from people like you, GreenUP can proceed with determined optimism, fortunate to offer adapted inspiring outdoor educational opportunities for young people and families, alike.

“Resiliency is a collective effort. With your support, we intend to care for and learn in community spaces like Ecology Park, for at least 30 more years.” – Executive Director, Tegan Moss.

With champions and supporters like you, everyone at GreenUP knows that we can inspire positive change and empower urgent action in our community as a whole. Join hundreds of thousands of donors across the world in supporting not-for-profits this year.

Help us reach our goal by making a donation this year, or become a “Friend of GreenUP” by committing to monthly donations. You can also support our work by doing some of your holiday shopping for locally made gifts at our Store and Resource Center at 378 Aylmer.

All donations as well as proceeds from the store support our projects across our region. For more information and to donate, visit www.GreenUP.on.ca/donate-to-greenup/